Rolling Element Bearings and Tolerances

No discussion of mounted units can begin before examining the heart of every bearing unit—the bearing inside—and the significance of precision manufacturing to specific guidelines and tolerances.

The precise operation of a rolling element bearing increases incrementally as each of the individual components approaches "perfection" in its manufacture. Bearings manufactured within tighter tolerance ranges provide greater accuracy of shaft rotation, quiet operation, longer bearing life and contribute to higher speed capability.

Electric motor bearings are generally acknowledged as being manufactured to extremely tight tolerances. NTN applies the same precision manufacturing processes for electric motor bearings to insert bearings for mounted units—that means that they too go beyond average expectations, an important consideration when selecting any bearing component.